BJP president Amit Shah to address rally in Jammu on June 23

BJP Chief Amit Shah will be on a two-day visit to Jammu starting June 23 to meet party’s state core group, office bearers, district presidents and other functionaries to discuss the strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Though the visit was planned before the breakup with PDP took place, it assumes added significance in the wake of the new developments.

BJP vice-president and in-charge of party affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, Avinash Rai Khanna told ET that Shah will be addressing a rally in Jammu on June 23. His speech is likely to dwell on the circumstances that led BJP to walk out of the coalition led by PDP, the suspension of operations during Ramzan and how this did not bring the desired results, the increase in terror activities, radicalisation of youth and the strained ties with PDP.

Being Shah’s first visit after the break-up, this public appearance will be keenly watched by the opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah will confine his visit to Jammu, which is the mainstay of BJP support in the state. One of the reasons for the snapping of ties with PDP is said to be anger among the BJP cadre and supporters over the alliance. The saffron party was concerned about losing support in the Jammu region.

BJP has alleged that despite allocation of funds for the state by the Narendra Modi government, Jammu and Ladakh were neglected by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. The Centre had sanctioned Rs 80,000 Cr for the state but only around Rs 40,000 Cr was spent in the last three years.

Shah’s main focus is the BJP’s preparation for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The party had won three of the six Lok Sabha seats-Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh- in the border state in 2014 general elections.

Shah will hold meetings with the BJP state Core Group, office bearers from the state, party general secretary (organisation), district unit chiefs, and others throughout the day on June 23. The BJP MLAs, including those who were a part of Mehbooba Mufti’s cabinet till June 19, will also attend the meeting. Khanna and BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav too will participate, sources said.

Shah will stay in Jammu for the night. His plans for the next day are being chalked out, party sources said.

It is not clear if Shah will meet any leader from other political parties.